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I'm fine with it. For a highly mobile device like a phone a wireless solution like Bluetooth makes a lot more sense. Meanwhile, for audiophile scenarios, a po

by jmull 9y ago

I'm fine with it. For a highly mobile device like a phone a wireless solution like Bluetooth makes a lot more sense. Meanwhile, for audiophile scenarios, a powered digital connection offers better options. Phones are space constrained so you really have to consider whether a large single-purpose port is worth it when there are better options avaialable. Here's another way to put it: if the 3.5mm jack didn't already exist it is nothing like what you'd propose for an optimal audio interface. The only thing it has going for it is the historical ecosystem. That's certainly not nothing, but given it's drawbacks and the availability of better options, it seems worth the cost to move on.

gambiting 9y ago
There aren't any better versions available though. Bluetooth audio quality is trash, even if you buy super high end headphones, the protocol is just not good enough. But even then - it's not like you can't use bluetooth with your headphone jack-equipped phone. To me the cost doesn't seem worth the move, not even a little bit.
deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
userbinator 9y ago
Here's another way to put it: if the 3.5mm jack didn't already exist it is nothing like what you'd propose for an optimal audio interface. I think it's close to optimal --- and for a while, the slightly smaller 2.5mm size was also extremely common in dumbphones and media players.
- jmull 9y ago
  The main problem is the digital to analog conversion has to happen in the phone. DACs involve trade offs and they aren't all equivalent. With the 3.5mm jack you get whatever your phone has. The early conversion to analog has other implications. Distortions in the signal can more easily affect what you hear than digital, which can do error correction. Also, you might want your headphones to do signal processing. That probably needs to be done digitally, so if your signal is analog you'll have to digitize, process, then convert back to analog. And the 3.5mm jack doesn't deliver the power. So if you want to do any processing or amplification you'll need a battery that you have to charge or some other power supply. 3.5mm also allows for only very basic controls.
teddyuk 9y ago
I thought I would hate it but I am also fine with it, I prefer not getting my wires tangled on other commuters (which happened more that I would have liked!)

by jmull 9y ago

gambiting 9y ago

There aren't any better versions available though. Bluetooth audio quality is trash, even if you buy super high end headphones, the protocol is just not good enough. But even then - it's not like you can't use bluetooth with your headphone jack-equipped phone. To me the cost doesn't seem worth the move, not even a little bit.

deleted 9y ago

[deleted]

userbinator 9y ago

Here's another way to put it: if the 3.5mm jack didn't already exist it is nothing like what you'd propose for an optimal audio interface. I think it's close to optimal --- and for a while, the slightly smaller 2.5mm size was also extremely common in dumbphones and media players.

jmull 9y ago
The main problem is the digital to analog conversion has to happen in the phone. DACs involve trade offs and they aren't all equivalent. With the 3.5mm jack you get whatever your phone has. The early conversion to analog has other implications. Distortions in the signal can more easily affect what you hear than digital, which can do error correction. Also, you might want your headphones to do signal processing. That probably needs to be done digitally, so if your signal is analog you'll have to digitize, process, then convert back to analog. And the 3.5mm jack doesn't deliver the power. So if you want to do any processing or amplification you'll need a battery that you have to charge or some other power supply. 3.5mm also allows for only very basic controls.

teddyuk 9y ago

I thought I would hate it but I am also fine with it, I prefer not getting my wires tangled on other commuters (which happened more that I would have liked!)